Water-saving shower head

ABSTRACT

The shower system includes a shower head, a valve, a fluid line, a receiver and a switch disposed in a floor of the shower system. The valve fluidly connects the shower head to a fluid line, with the valve being operable to control flow of fluid to the shower head; the receiver is operable to control the valve. The switch is operable to transmit a signal to the receiver, such that the actuation of the switch adjusts flow of fluid through the shower head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a system for controlling water flow from a shower. More particularly, a switch can be activated to reduce water flow when desired.

Showers commonly have no method to vary the level of water flow during a shower. Some shower systems address the problem by including a switch near the front of the shower, under the shower head. The shower is activated by stepping on or near the switch, and will only remain running while adequate pressure is applied to that switch. However, this is problematic, because the shower can only be running while in it. Most shower users prefer to let the shower run for some period of time before getting in, in order for the water to warm up to a more acceptable temperature. In this situation, letting the water warm up before use is impossible, and the user is forced to endure at least part of the shower in water of a temperature outside his control.

Another shower system utilizes a hose with a mat pressure valve to control water flow. Water flows out of the wall, through a hose which is snaked around the bottom of the shower, under a mat pressure valve, and back up to the wall, where it attaches to the shower head. The shower can be turned on as usual, and when the user steps back, onto the mat valve, pressure is exerted on the hose, reducing water flow. However, it is impractical to snake hose all through the shower, and to require that the user stand on one specific spot with enough weight to pinch off the hose. It can also be aesthetically unappealing, and the wear of pinching the hose could give rise to leaks, also undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, the shower system comprises a shower head, a valve, a fluid line, a receiver and a switch disposed in a floor of the shower system. The valve fluidly connects the shower head to a fluid line, with the valve being operable to control flow of fluid to the shower head; the receiver is operable to control the valve. The switch is operable to transmit a signal to the receiver, such that the actuation of the switch adjusts flow of fluid through the shower head.

The shower is turned on and adjusted in a normal manner using its standard handles. When a user steps to a particular area of the shower, such as the rear of the shower, the valve at least partially closes the supply of fluid to the shower head.

A method for adjusting fluid flow through a shower head includes actuating a switch disposed in a floor of the shower system, sending a signal to a receiver in response to actuation of the switch and adjusting a valve in response to reception of the signal by the receiver.

These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a first example shower system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a second example shower system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a third example shower system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a fourth example shower system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1. schematically illustrates a first example shower system 10 a. The shower system 10 a includes a first wall 20, a second wall 21 and a third wall 22. The second wall 21 is disposed between the first wall 20 and the second wall 22. In one example, the first wall 20 is a front wall, the second wall 21 is a side wall and the third wall 22 is a rear wall. The shower system 10 a also includes a floor 23 which is adjacent to both the first wall 20 and the third wall 22. Walls 20-22 and the floor 23 form a shower enclosure 24. However, it is understood that other configurations could be possible.

The shower system 10 a includes a shower head 11 and a fluid line 13. The fluid line 13 protrudes through the first wall 20 of the shower system 10 a. A valve 12 fluidly connects the shower head 11 to the fluid line 13. The valve 12 includes an inlet 12 a (e.g. a female threaded inlet) for attaching to the existing shower fluid line 13 and an outlet 12 b (e.g. a male threaded outlet) to which a normal shower head 11 can be attached. The valve 12 is operable to control a flow of fluid to the shower head 11. A handle or plurality of handles 16 may be used to control the flow of fluid to the fluid line 13. Fluid may flow through the fluid line 13 and valve 12 and be emitted from the shower head 11. The valve 12 is normally open and can be selectively closed, either partially, completely or some user-adjustable amount, by a receiver/actuator 14 a. The receiver/actuator 14 a contains any necessary circuitry for receiving a signal from the switch 18 and then causing the valve 12 to change positions. Fluid may then exit the shower system 10 a via a drain 17.

A mat 15 a is disposed on the floor 23 of the shower system 10 a. The mat 15 a includes a switch 18 a and an optional transmitter/amplifier/relay or other circuitry 19 a. The switch 18 a could be a capacitive switch having electrodes separated by foam, such that pressure on any part of the mat 15 a activates the switch 18 a. Other types of pressure-sensitive switches could also be used. Depending upon the type of switch 18 a utilized, additional circuitry 19 a may or may not be necessary or helpful.

When the switch 18 a is actuated, a signal is sent from the transmitter 19 a (or directly via the switch 18 a) to the receiver 14 a via a wired connection 31. The receiver 14 a is operable to control the valve 12, and in response to the signal the receiver 14 a adjusts the valve 12 so as to affect the flow of fluid to the shower head 11. For example, when a user steps onto the mat 15 a, the switch 18 a is depressed and a signal is sent to the receiver 14 a. The receiver 14 a adjusts the valve 12 so as to reduce the flow of fluid to the shower head 11. When the user steps off of the mat 15 a, the switch 18 a is released, and the transmitter 19 a sends another signal to the receiver 14 a. The receiver 14 a then readjusts the valve 12 to increase the flow of fluid to the shower head 11, such as to its normally open position. While this is one configuration of signals from the switch 18 a to the receiver 14 a, it is understood that other configurations could be possible.

It should be noted that the receiver 14 a and valve 12 can be added to an existing shower between the existing fluid line 13 and existing shower head 11. The mat 15 a can then be placed on the floor 23. Thus, retrofitting existing showers is simple. Alternatively, the receiver 14 a, valve 12 and shower head 11 can be sold as a single, integrated unit for attachment to the fluid line 13.

In use, the user can turn on the shower using the handles 16 in a normal manner, so that the water can reach the right temperature before the user enters the shower. The user can then shower normally under a full flow from the shower head 11. At times, such as when the user is washing hair or lathering soap, the user can step onto the mat 15 a, which then activates switch 18 a to send a signal (optionally via additional circuitry 19 a) to the receiver 14 a to at least partially close the valve 12, thereby reducing or closing the flow of fluid to the shower head 11 temporarily. When the user steps off the mat 15 a, the switch 18 a is deactivated and the mat 15 a either sends a second signal or stops sending the first signal to the receiver 14 a, which then causes the valve 12 to return to a full flow (or however the user had set the handles 16). The mat 15 a can be located toward the rear of the shower, so that the flow is reduced when the user steps away from the flow.

The system 10 a can operate such that the flow through the valve 12 is reduced only while the person is standing on the mat 15 a and automatically returns to normal when the persons steps off the mat 15 a (some hysteresis and/or delay can be built into the circuitry 19 a to inhibit rapid unintended switching on and off). Alternatively, the system 10 a can operate in a toggle mode, where stepping once on the mat 15 a reduces the flow through the valve 12 and stepping on the mat 15 a a second time returns the flow to normal.

FIG. 2. schematically illustrates a second example shower system 10 b. The shower system 10 b includes many of the same components as the first shower system 10 a of FIG. 1, and the same reference numerals are used. The shower system 10 b includes the first wall 20, second wall 21, third wall 22, and floor 23, which form a shower enclosure 24. Other configurations could be possible.

The shower system 10 b includes the shower head 11 and fluid line 13. The fluid line 13 protrudes through the first wall 20 of the shower system 10 b. The valve 12 fluidly connects the shower head 11 to the fluid line 13. The valve 12 is operable to control a flow of fluid to the shower head 11. The handles 16 may be used to control the flow of fluid to the fluid line 13. Fluid may flow through the fluid line 13 and valve 12 and be emitted from the shower head 11. Fluid may then exit the shower system 10 b via a drain 17.

A mat 15 b is disposed on the floor 23 of the shower system 10 b. The mat 15 b includes a switch 18 b and a transmitter 19 b. The switch 18 b may be similar to the switch 18 a of the previous embodiment. When the switch 18 b is actuated, a wireless signal 30 is sent from the transmitter 19 b to a receiver 14 b. The wireless signal 30 could be RF, infrared, acoustic, or any other wireless electromagnetic signal. The wireless signal 30 could also be sent via a passive transponder as the “transmitter.” The receiver 14 b is operable to control the valve 12, and in response to the wireless signal 30 the receiver 14 b adjusts the valve 12 so as to affect the flow of fluid to the shower head 11. For example, when a user steps onto the mat 15 b, the switch 18 b is depressed and the transmitter 19 b sends a wireless signal 30 to the receiver 14 b. The receiver 14 b adjusts the valve 12 so as to reduce the flow of fluid to the shower head 11. When the user steps off of the mat 15 b, the switch 18 b is released, and the transmitter 19 b sends another wireless signal to the receiver 14 b. The receiver 14 b then readjusts the valve 12 to increase the flow of fluid to the shower head 11. While this is one configuration of signals from the transmitter 19 b to the receiver 14 b, it is understood that other configurations could be possible. Again, alternatively, the system 10 b can be designed to operate in a toggle mode.

FIG. 3. schematically illustrates a third example shower system 10 c, which again could be retrofitted into the existing shower. A mat 15 c is disposed on the floor 23 of the shower system 10 c. The mat 15 c includes a device 18 c that can serve as a switch and a transmitter for a mechanical signal. For instance, the device 18 c can be a bladder housing a fluid, such as liquid or air. When the device 18 c is actuated, a pneumatic, hydraulic or other mechanical signal is sent from the device 18 c to a receiver 14 c via a piped connection 32. The receiver 14 c is operable to control the valve 12 in response to the pneumatic signal to affect the flow of fluid to the shower head 11. For example, when a user steps onto the mat 15 c, the device 18 c (in this example a bladder) is depressed and the device 18 c sends a fluid signal to the receiver 14 c via a piped connection 32. The receiver 14 c adjusts the valve 12 so as to reduce the flow of fluid to the shower head 11. When the user steps off of the mat 15 c, the device 18 c is released, and the fluid signal from the device 18 c to the receiver 14 c is stopped. The receiver 14 c then readjusts the valve 12 to increase the flow of fluid to the shower head 11. While this is one configuration of a device 18 c and a signal from that device 18 c to the receiver 14 c, it is understood that other configurations could be possible.

Alternatively, with hydraulic cylinders in the mat 15 c and the receiver 14 c, the actuation via a mechanical signal could also be sent via a push-pull cable.

FIG. 4. schematically illustrates a third example shower system 10 d, which again could be retrofitted into the existing shower. In this example, the mat 15 d includes a first switch 18 d for turning the valve 12 on, and a second switch 18 e for turning the valve 12 off. The specific means of connecting the switches 18 d, e to the receiver 14 d and the valve 12 could be any of those described above (e.g. wired, wireless, pneumatic, push-pull cable, etc) or any other suitable means. This example could be implemented for a person who is physically unable to operate the handles 16. Or, some people might just prefer having the separate OFF and ON switches 18 d, e.

Again, any of the examples above could be provided as a custom installation, or as a retrofit to an existing shower. Any of the examples above could be provided as a valve/receiver fitting between the existing fluid line 13 and a shower head 11 of the user's choice, or as an integrated valve/receiver/head unit. Any of the examples could be configured to operate in a toggle mode, or a mode where stepping off the mat returns the flow to normal. Any of the examples could be configured with the separate ON and OFF switches. Any of the examples could be configured to reduce the flow either completely or partially.

Although preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention. 

1. A shower system comprising: a shower head; a valve fluidly connecting the shower head to a fluid line, the valve being operable to control flow of fluid to the shower head; and a switch disposed on a floor of the shower system and being operable to control the valve, wherein actuation of the switch causes the valve to adjust flow of fluid through the shower head.
 2. The shower system of claim 1, wherein the switch is actuated via pressure on a panel on the floor of the shower system.
 3. The shower system of claim 1, wherein a signal is sent electrically to the receiver via a wired connection based upon activation of the switch.
 4. The shower system of claim 1, wherein a signal is sent wirelessly to a receiver controlling the valve based upon activation of the switch.
 5. The shower system of claim 1, wherein a signal is sent mechanically based upon activation of the switch.
 6. The shower system of claim 1, wherein the valve reduces the flow of fluid through the shower head when the switch is actuated.
 7. The shower system of claim 7, wherein the valve completely closes off the flow of fluid through the shower head when the switch is actuated.
 8. The shower system of claim 1 wherein the switch is a first switch which when activated reduces the flow of fluid through the valve, the system further including a second switch which when activated increases the flow of fluid through the valve.
 9. A valve system comprising: a valve for controlling flow of a fluid therethrough; a receiver operable to control the valve; and a switch operable to transmit a signal to the receiver wherein the receiver controls the valve to reduce flow of fluid through the valve based upon the receiver receiving the signal from the switch.
 10. The valve system of claim 9, wherein the switch is actuated via pressure on a mat.
 11. The valve system of claim 9, wherein the signal from the switch is sent electrically to the receiver via a wired connection.
 12. The valve system of claim 9, wherein the signal of the switch is sent wirelessly to the receiver.
 13. The valve system of claim 9 wherein the valve is a normally open valve.
 14. The valve system of claim 9, wherein the signal of the switch is sent mechanically to the receiver.
 15. The shower system of claim 9 wherein the switch is a first switch, the system further including a second switch which when activated increases the flow of fluid through the valve.
 16. A method of adjusting fluid flow through a shower head in a shower comprising the steps of: actuating a switch disposed on a floor of the shower; sending a signal to a receiver in response to actuation of the switch; and adjusting a valve to reduce fluid flow in response to reception of the signal by the receiver.
 17. The method of claim 16 including actuating the switch is performed by stepping on it.
 18. The method of claim 16 wherein the switch sends an electronic signal to the receiver via wire.
 19. The method of claim 16 wherein the switch sends a signal wirelessly to the receiver.
 20. The method of claim 16 wherein the switch sends a signal mechanically to the receiver.
 21. A shower system comprising: a shower head; a valve fluidly connecting the shower head to a fluid line, the valve being operable to control flow of fluid to the shower head; a receiver operable to control the valve; and a user-activated switch operable to transmit a signal to the receiver, wherein actuation of the switch causes the valve to reduce flow of fluid through the shower head.
 22. The shower system of claim 21, wherein the switch is actuated via pressure on a mat.
 23. The shower system of claim 21, wherein the signal of the switch is sent wirelessly to the receiver.
 24. The shower system of claim 21, wherein the valve completely closes off the flow of fluid through the shower head when the switch is actuated. 